By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has placed key city government offices and frontline agencies on high alert following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck near General Santos City.
During an emergency coordination meeting, Domagoso directed several city departments to immediately assess the readiness of public facilities and emergency response systems, even as no significant impact has been reported in Metro Manila.
Among the agencies mobilized were the Office of the Building Official, Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Manila Department of Social Welfare, Department of Engineering and Public Works, Manila Police District, and the Schools Division Office-Manila.
The mayor ordered the immediate inspection of public buildings, schools, and other critical infrastructure across the city to ensure their safety and operational readiness.
According to Domagoso, the move is part of the city government’s standard disaster preparedness protocol whenever a major earthquake occurs anywhere in the country, regardless of its distance from the capital.
“We must always be prepared. Our priority is the safety of the public and the readiness of the city government to respond to any emergency,” the mayor said.
He also instructed concerned offices to prepare contingency plans should the national government require Manila to deploy personnel or response teams to assist affected communities in General Santos City.
Domagoso emphasized that the heightened alert status is intended to strengthen the city’s preparedness for possible aftershocks, secondary hazards, or other emergency situations that may arise following the powerful quake.
Meanwhile, City Hall urged residents to remain calm, stay alert, monitor official advisories, and follow instructions from disaster management authorities.
The Manila City Government said emergency response units remain on standby as officials continue to monitor developments and coordinate with national agencies regarding the situation in Mindanao.
ia.xf
